PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Heleno (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Battistoni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Heleno has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Thiago Heleno looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Heleno
vs
Battistoni

175 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

180 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Heleno!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Steve Battistoni!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Mauricio Rocha and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Heleno shoots in for a takedown but Battistoni shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Heleno is breathing heavily.

Battistoni bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Heleno trying to remain calm as Battistoni controls from the top position.
Battistoni works to advance to full mount. Heleno defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Battistoni looking to control and managing it successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Battistoni lands with some strikes.
Battistoni takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Battistoni unloading with bombs!

That's one minute gone in the round.
BOOM! Battistoni connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Battistoni controlling the position easily from mount.
Let's hope that Battistoni has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Battistoni stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Battistoni scores with a kick to the midsection.
Heleno has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Heleno has his takedown stuffed

and Battistoni moves into the clinch.

Battistoni gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Battistoni is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Battistoni tries to pass the half guard into mount. Heleno knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Battistoni working Heleno over with strikes.
Battistoni content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Battistoni is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Heleno is just riding it out for now. Battistoni eventually gives up the hold.
Battistoni is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Despite being in the dominant position, Steve Battistoni just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Battistoni gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Battistoni wants the takedown. Heleno is fighting it off but Battistoni persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Heleno's guard against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Heleno had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Battistoni is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Heleno Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Battistoni's back instead.
Battistoni rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Battistoni dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Battistoni shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Heleno is trying to defend but Battistoni finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Battistoni scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Battistoni in particular looking to stall.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Battistoni is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Heleno has managed to free his arm - good work.
Heleno won't allow Battistoni to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Battistoni performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Battistoni stands up and beckons Heleno to join him on the feet.

Battistoni looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Battistoni connects with a nice short shot to Heleno's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Battistoni tries to pass the half guard into mount. Heleno knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Heleno is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Battistoni jumps into side control!
Battistoni working the ground and pound from side control.

Battistoni decides to stand back up.

Battistoni is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Heleno's half guard.

Heleno looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Steve Battistoni has got the better of the ground game so far.
Heleno tries to get to full guard but Battistoni has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Battistoni looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Heleno with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Battistoni is taking a breather. Heleno says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Heleno is looking for a sweep. Battistoni is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Heleno is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Battistoni showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Battistoni rushes Heleno and presses him up against the cage.

Battistoni pulls guard successfully.
Battistoni pulls Heleno in close to his closed guard and prevents Heleno from doing any damage or advancing position.

Heleno has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Battistoni to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Heleno is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Battistoni pulls down on the head and he's put Heleno to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:03 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Steve Battistoni!